The Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks face off with the Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union Wildcats in the Fedoruk Cup Finals. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

FERODUK CUP

Sharks hunting for first ever league championship against Swift Current

Mar 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM

The Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks are back in the provincial finals for the second year in a row, which means another opportunity to win the Fedoruk Cup for the very first time in franchise history. 

After a season with just two losses combined through the regular season and playoffs, the Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks are set to battle the Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union Wildcats in the Sask. Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) finals.

The Sharks advanced to the final dance after sweeping the Saskatoon Stars in their best-of-three semifinal series. Battlefords fell to the Stars in the Fedoruk Cup last year, so this win felt like getting over a hump, according to Sharks head coach Nolan Horbach. 

“I think you felt it on Tuesday, a couple days after we beat them. It was almost like that relief. We got that hurdle over with and a chance to reset and then realize, we’ve been waiting essentially a year for this opportunity again.” 

The Sharks have a perfect 4-0-1-0 (W-L-OTW-OTL) against the Wildcats this year, outscoring Swift Current 19-9 across those five games. According to captain Danika Dureau, the Sharks have played some of their best games against Swift Current this season. 

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“They’re one the better teams in our league this year, and I find it’s been another team for us to always go hard against and not take anything for granted,” said Dureau. “Whether that’s on special teams or even [strength], they’re just really trying to hammer and go to the net. Just got to make sure our D zone is intact and we’re really putting the body on the line” 

Dureau was out for a significant part of the season with an injury. Beforehand, she was on a line with league leading scorer Anneka Aspaas but they have been on their own respective lines since Dureau has returned, which has made their depth much more dangerous. 

“We don’t just have one strong line like other teams, but we have a lot of skilled players and girls who are really, who’ve really stepped up with me being out and even being back.” 

Getting the nod in net is 16-year-old rookie Aura Sembalerus where in 15 starts this season, she had a 14-0-0-0 record with 1.22 goals against average and a .950 save percentage with four shutouts. 

Sembelarus said that while she was shaky to start the year, she feels like she has earned the starting role and is feeling poised heading into the finals. She finds that holding onto that confidence is the most important thing she’s learned throughout the season. 

“No matter what happens, stay confident, keep playing, don’t give up, because if you do give up, it shows and it will show on the scoreboard,” she said. 

Game 1 of the best-of-three Fedoruk Cup championship series is set for March 21 at Battleford Arena. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com